I happened to catch influenza over the summer. As a result, subtract Monday of this week, I have been doing very little besides resting.
On Monday, I did spend time shadowing an equal access clinic (EAC). I watched the work of current medical students, medicinal residents, practicing physicians, and other undergraduates hoping to gain experience. I witnessed how a physician communicated with a patient who spoke little to no English, with the benefit of a translator so both parties could understand. Alongside this, a few exams were performed on the patient. In sum, the patient came due to a feeling of pain on the right side of her stomach. Post examination, the physician garnered the source of the pain to be related to a female organ as opposed to her stomach, and scheduled a pelvic ultrasound. The physician afterward emphasized bedside manner to me and another undergraduate student; apparently, early in her career, her witnessing poor bedside manner from a surgeon led her to ensure her patients are treated with respect.
Considering that this program ends this upcoming Thursday I would like to hope I’ve made a recovery by then.
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